In addition to his family and team of cabinet officials and advisers, Barack Obama will bring with him to the White House a brand new puppy.

The presidential pooch is a gift to daughters Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7, whom he praised in his inauguration speech in Chicago tonight.

"I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," he told the girls before an adoring throng of 100,000 supporters in Chicago's Grant Park.

It is unclear if the Obamas have selected a puppy, nor have they announced what breed, sex or name they will choose.

The next canine presidential confidant will follow in a long, distinguished line of four-legged companions in chief – nearly every occupant of the White House has kept one.

George Bush has a Scottish terrier, Barney, and gave his wife Laura another Scottish terrier called Miss Beazley in 2005. Bill Clinton kept a chocolate lab named Buddy, who was perennially at loggerheads with the presidential cat, Socks. Herbert Hoover, president from 1929 to 1933, had a Belgian police dog named King Tut. President Lyndon Johnson was castigated in the press for swinging his beagle dog, named Him, about by the ears.

Whatever the type of dog, Obama seems to be heeding some ace advice from one of his Democratic predecessors.